MEET OUR TEAM:
ACADEMIC TUTORING
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"I want to do tutoring, education, in a way that is inspiring and engaging. I want my students to look forward to our sessions, to see challenges as opportunities to think and learn."
Company Founder & Head Tutor
Patrick Braxton-Andrew
I was raised in Davidson, NC and still call the town home. It's a community I cherish, and the community has played in integral role in shaping who I am today. I grew up the son of educators, surrounded by friends whose parents were also educators, and have learned there's nothing I enjoy more than working with people, especially if I can offer them something invaluable.
I graduated from North Meck in 2002, Davidson College in 2006, and have traveled and worked throughout Latin America in many of the years since. In addition to tutoring and coordinating study abroad experiences, I'm also a teacher at Davidson's Woodlawn School. Between tutoring, teaching, and coaching, I've now been educating for over 15 years.
I spend much of my free time outdoors, running, hiking, playing soccer and basketball.
I specialize in SAT and ACT tests, Algebra I and earlier maths, all levels of Spanish, and English (with a focus on written expression).
Hi! I grew up in Winston Salem, NC with two brothers and a plethora of pets. I went to Loomis Chaffee, a boarding school in Connecticut for high school but could not stay away from the South. I came home for college and am now a proud member of Davidson College's Class of 2020. Currently, I am a Biology major with a minor in Health and Human Values. In my free time, I am actively involved in several volunteer organizations and love to play sports. I have a lot of experience working with kids all ages as I have worked as a nanny, camp consoler and basketball coach. I tutor all levels of school-curriculum math and sciences. I specialize in the SAT and ACT as well. I have developed my expertise with the SAT and ACT through my years of test taking and tutoring for myself as I started prepping in 7th grade before taking the SSAT (an admissions requirement for boarding school).
ISABEL HANSON
Professional Tutor
I am originally from East Meadow, New York. I grew up on Long Island with my three brothers and two dogs. When it came time to go to college, I decided to attend the University of Maryland, College Park where I received a Track and Field scholarship. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a division one collegiate athlete and quickly learned the importance of time management and commitment. After graduating with a B.S. in International Business and minor in Italian, I worked with CBS sports properties, tutored collegiate athletes, and coached cross country/track at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. Eventually, I went back to school (I love to learn 😊) and received a Masters degree in Secondary Education. I currently teach Math 3 at Hough High School, but I am certified to teach 7-12 Mathematics in New York and 9-12 Mathematics in North Carolina. I enjoy all levels of mathematics and look forward to helping each student achieve their goals!
NICOLE BANKER
Professional Tutor
Cristina is a certified Elementary Education and Exceptional Children teacher in North Carolina and New Jersey. She grew up in a small town in New Jersey about 35 miles west of Manhattan and returned back to her hometown to teach after college. Cristina attended Marist College and received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Special Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology. She moved to Davidson in July of 2015 after her husband accepted a job as a Design Engineer with Penske Racing for their IndyCar team.
In New Jersey, Cristina was a Special Education Teacher in the public school system for seven years. While teaching 2nd through 5th grade in Berkeley Heights, Cristina supported her students by pushing into the classroom to co-teach as well as leading separate small groups in a resource room. She also contributed to her school and community by mentoring two student teachers, volunteering for PTO events, advising the Yearbook Club, and being a member of the Hospitality Committee. During the 2014-2015 school year, Cristina was named Teacher of the Year for Thomas P. Hughes Elementary School! She also tutored privately during her time in Berkeley Heights.
Besides teaching, Cristina loves to cook and experiment with new healthy recipes, travel, SUP board or kayak on Lake Norman, and visit family back in NJ!
CRISTINA DUGAN
Professional Tutor
Jean is a beloved educator who spent 30+ years as a public school teacher, the vast majority at West Charlotte and North Meck. She taught AP and IB environmental science and biology.
A UNC alumna (both undergrad and graduate), Jean spent four years in her 20s living in Germany and traveled extensively through Europe and Northern Africa. Now retired, Jean enjoys her weekly volunteering at Blythe and Winterfield Elementaries, running and swimming, and her opportunities to travel. Most recently Jean has visited Hawaii and Peru, and she's taken three trips to Nicaragua, twice accompanying DCPC's Nicaraguan mission trip in recent years.
JEAN BRAXTON
Professional Tutor
I grew up in Dallas, TX and after graduating from the Hockaday School in 2002 moved to NC to attend Davidson College. During my time at Davidson, I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain and worked as an interpreter at the Free Clinic of Our Towns and tutor at the LEARN Works program both at the Ada Jenkins Center. I graduated from Davidson in 2006-- same class as PBA :) -- with a BA in Spanish.
After a year working as an on-site construction volunteer with the AmeriCorps program serving at Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, I began teaching Spanish at Cannon School in Concord. I have taught at Cannon School for over 10 years including levels 1-5, a Pre-AP course, and a language and culture non-AP course.
In 2014, I graduated with a Masters in Teaching Second Language, Spanish from Bennington College in Vermont. I firmly believe that we learn a language in order to use it and connect with the world around us. Therefore, much of my educational philosophy is focused on growing a student's proficiency level in the language and their ability to own the language and communicate and create with it.
HALEY ACUFF TODD
Professional Tutor
I grew up in the Lake Norman area and went to Elon University. I studied Environmental and Ecological Science with a minor in Geography. I studied abroad in Peru and Australia and did a lot of international traveling during various breaks throughout college. I have a passion for seeing and connecting to the world, which is why I love environmental science. I currently teach Earth and Environmental Science as well as AP Environmental Science at Pine Lake Prep in Mooresville. As a tutor, I specialize in science, math, and study skills. In my free time, I love to be outside as much as possible with my dog, Finn.
JESSIKA DORCAS
Professional Tutor
I am originally from Lexington, KY and graduated from Centre College in Danville, KY in 2015. I majored in both math and English because I enjoy the different challenges each subject provides. After graduating from Centre College I was accepted as a Charlotte corps member for Teach for America, a national group of leaders who commit to teaching in low-income schools and working to reduce educational inequity to provide opportunities for all students. I am finishing my second year as a Math 1 teacher in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and will continue teaching Math 1 at Hough High School in the fall of 2017. I specialize in Foundations of Math 1 and Math 1 curriculum, but I also enjoy many other math topics including probability, geometry, and calculus! Some of my favorite hobbies are taking a variety of dance classes and reading novels. I look forward to working with you!
MONICA FITCH
Professional Tutor
Hi! I’m Rebecca Strawn, a member of Davidson College's Class of 2018. I’m an English major and Hispanic Studies minor. Last fall I studied abroad in Peru, which allowed me to see the incredible value of the acquisition of a second language. One of my passions is using my experiences and knowledge to cultivate a love for Spanish in younger students. In auditioning to tutoring with PBA Ventures, I teach Spanish once a week at Davidson Elementary and intern at the children’s hospital in Charlotte. I love making connections with students and families from different backgrounds. One of the most rewarding things about tutoring for is watching a student grow in both ability and love for the Spanish language.
REBECCA STRAWN
Professional Tutor
Hello! My name is Cody Mitchell and I am in the class of 2019 at Davidson College. I am a chemistry major and computer science minor on a pre-med track, and am working to one day become an orthopedic surgeon. I’m on the varsity football team and the current service and philanthropy chair for my fraternity. I began my teaching journey by coaching a youth football team in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, and since then I have branched out into tutoring all levels of math, science, language, and SAT/ACT prep. In working with so many different students of various age groups, backgrounds, and academic levels, I have come to appreciate the impact that a good tutor or mentor can have on the development of a student, and I continually strive to better myself and every student I meet.
CODY MITCHELL
Professional Tutor
I graduated from Queens University of Charlotte in 2014 with a BS in Chemistry as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. I immediately went into teaching after college and have been a public school teacher for 3 years. I am originally from Durham, NC and moved to Charlotte for school and couldn't leave. I have been tutoring professionally for almost 6 years but have been tutoring peers and classmates for as long as I can remember. I reside in Charlotte with my dog and enjoy spending time with my friends when I am not teaching. I specialize in most middle and high school math and science courses.
Professional Tutor
ALEXANDER STOCKING
Hi! I am a proud member Davidson College's class of 2018 pursuing majors in both math and Spanish. I am from Roanoke, VA where I grew up as a soccer player, boy scout, and outdoors enthusiast. I have always loved math, and my love of Spanish stems from a high school foreign exchange program in Colombia that exposed me to the beauty of the language and hispanic culture. I have a lot of experience working with kids, aged anywhere from six through high school, from my jobs as a camp counselor, a babysitter, a middle school soccer coach and as a 1st grade Spanish student-teacher. I tutor all levels of school-curriculum math and middle/high school Spanish, and I specialize in the SAT and ACT.
Professional Tutor
JOE JAMISON
I grew up in the rural college town of Farmville, VA and moved to North Carolina in 2011 to attend Davidson College. I majored in Chemistry with a focus in Environmental Studies and spent my free time volunteering as a Young Life Leader at a local high school. As the daughter of a professor, I grew up surrounded by academic dialogue and family friends who worked as faculty and staff at the local colleges. Therefore, it came as no surprise when my love for science, passion for education, and experience tutoring high school students lead me to a teaching position after college. I am currently the Honors and AP Chemistry teacher at Pine Lake Preparatory and specialize as a tutor in the maths and sciences. In addition to teaching I enjoy travel, reading, swimming, and sudoku puzzles!
Professional Tutor
KENZIE BRASTOW
Hello! I am from Buffalo, New York and came down to North Carolina as a member of the class of 2021. I am an anticipated Environmental Studies major and Chinese minor. In high school, I was a member of our on-campus dance ensemble where I performed modern, contact improvisation, and ballet pieces. I have spent quite a bit of time working with kids of all ages, from growing up with younger siblings, teaching modern dance classes to middle school students, and serving as an assistant Aikido teacher.
On Davidson’s campus, I work in the startup scene, am a member of our on-campus dance company, and enjoy the occasional weekend hike with Davidson Outdoors. I tutor in AP Language, ACT and SAT verbal sections, essay proofreading, and elementary Chinese.
Professional Tutor
LORENA JAMES
Originally from Georgia, I grew up speaking both Spanish and English, and ever since I was little I had a deep passion for languages and cultures.
In 2014 I came to the Charlotte area to attend Davidson College, and I fell in love with North Carolina. While in college I became a peer tutor, and I had the opportunity to serve in Freedom School and work at Ada Jenkins.
In the Spring of 2017 I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, and I got the chance to delve into romance linguistics, a related interest of mine!
In December 2017 I graduated from Davidson with a BA in Hispanic Studies and French and Francophone Studies. Most recently, I have been working at a local high school as an ESL teacher. I love working with all ages, and I specialize in tutoring Spanish, French, English Language Arts, and study skills.
Aside from language and culture, some of my favorite things are swimming, reading historical fiction, traveling, and (attempting) to bake! More than anything, I look forward to helping you excel!
NICOLE RARDON
Professional Tutor
HI! I’m Will, a mathematics and economics double major in the class of 2020 at Davidson College. I’m a member of our club ultimate Frisbee team, a saxophone player in the pep band, and a trip leader for the outdoor club. Both of my parents are educators, so an environment of learning and teaching has always surrounded me. I started tutoring calculus during my freshman year, and that has grown into tutoring Davidson students in math and economics at the college’s Center for Teaching and Learning, and tutoring students from the community with Patrick and PBA Ventures. The opportunity I’ve had to tutor 5thgraders through college students in a multitude of subjects within math and economics has allowed me to be a much more adaptable tutor who can fit the needs of different students. I look forward to meeting many more tutees, and helping them develop an understanding of and a love for my favorite subjects!
WILLIAM STIFEL
Professional Tutor
Professional Tutor
TONY SOLIS
Tony Solís is a senior at Davidson College studying Educational Studies and Public Policy. In the future, Tony hopes to teach, be a school principal and fight for progressive education policy that supports all students. Tony is easy going and likes to run, juggle and play music.